Funeral/Cremation Costs

Costs Associated with a Funeral or a Cremation

All costs associated with a funeral, whether it is a burial or a cremation will fall into one of two categories:

Funeral Home Charges

When considering the costs of a burial, you must consider the total cost. They may include:

- Transfer of Remains to the Funeral Home from the place of Death (New York State Law requires that this be done by a Licensed Funeral Director)
​- Preparation of Remains (If selected) which is the embalming of the deceased.

  • If embalming is not selected Topical Disinfection of the deceased may be required.
  • Custodial Care may be charged for days that the body is being held and no other services are being provided. This fee must be disclosed and identified as a daily, weekly or one-time fee.
  • Dressing, Casketing and Cosmetology
    ​- For most women a professional hair dresser will be used.
  • Arrangement Fee is the cost associated with the availability to respond to initial request for service (24 hours a day, 365 days a year), the arrangement conference, securing of necessary authorizations, and coordination of service plans with parties involved in the final disposition of the deceased.
  • Supervision for Funeral Service and/or the Visitation.
  • Use of the Facilities for the Funeral Service and/or the Visitation.
  • Hearse (usually required)
  • Flower Car / Lead Car – Optional (usually encouraged)
  • Limousines - Optional
  • Merchandise
  • Casket (required)
  • Vault (required by most cemeteries)
  • Register Book - Optional
  • Prayer Cards - Optional
  • Thank You Cards - Optional
  • Flowers – Optional
  • Clothing – May be provided by Family or is Available for purchase
  • Monument or Stone Inscription – Optional
  • Cemetery Equipment Rental may be necessary if the cemetery does not have their own equipment. (Usually Rural Cemeteries)
  • Forwarding or Receiving Remains if another funeral home is involved with a death or a burial outside of New York State.

​Cash Advances

A Cash Advance is used for any goods or services that the funeral home pays to a third-party on behalf of a family. Cash advance items may include such things as cemetery (opening and closing costs of a grave or the purchase of a new grave) or crematory fee, pallbearers, public transportation, clergy honoraria, musicians, singers, death notices, gratuities, and death certificates.